The PreSchool children seem to have made themselves quite comfortable in the classroom. The tears and sad faces diminish each day. We keep talking about separation and how quickly the time passes when we are busy playing and learning!
There are a few housekeeping issues that I need to address. When we talked at the PreSchool Orientation in August, I mentioned that St. Linus was offering a full-day of PreSchool because several parents had requested this option. I also mentioned that in the past, I have allowed children to stay with me all day if a parent had an emergency, i.e. doctor appointment, funeral, work conflict. This can no longer be an option because of legal issues. There must be a daily record of each child's attendance for the AM and/or PM Session.
Last week, Dr. Stritch sent a letter home clarifiying the all-day PreSchool policy. There are currently only 3 students registered for All Day Preschool.
1. If a PreSchool child needs to stay in school all day (for any reason), a pre-arrangement must be made in the school office.
2. AM and PM attendance must be taken each day. If your child is home sick, you MUST call the school office (708-425-1656) each day your child is absent.
3. A child who attends a full day of school will have his/her tuition adjusted. A fee will be added to your tuition statement for each additional 1/2 day your child is in school.
At our orientation, I also mentioned that milk would not be available this year. Several parents expressed some regret about this situation. I spoke directly with our Hot Lunch Coordinator (Mrs. Mary Ferguson), and she has made it possible for the PreSchool to order milk on a monthly basis. She will submit our milk order with her Hot Lunch school orders. If your son or daughter would like milk at snack time and you have not received a milk form for October, please see me or Mrs. Gute.
I have been the St. Linus PreSchool Teacher for 8 years. I have always had a play-based curriculum. I believe in the power of play. I have a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelors Degree in Music Education (specializing in Early Childhood Music) and a Bachelors Degree in Music Therapy. I am a member of NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) and I am a lifelong learner- I read all the NAEYC journals and articles about Child Development, research on the brain, and the way children learn.
Dr. Stritch has expressed concern about the lack of structure in my classroom following conversations with current and prospective parents of PreSchool Children. I have had some parents mention my style of "projects" rather than paper/pencil work. I am not sure that I have adequately explained Play Based Learning to my school parents or to the School Board/Administration. I have asked Father Bill and Dr. Stritch for the opportunity to address the School Board to talk about the benefits of a Play Based Curriculum. I will let my School Parents know when I will be speaking.
I am passionate about play. It is difficult for me to re-train my brain- I am a musician and I am truly a left-brain educator. I will never believe in anything other than a play-based curriculum for Early Childhood Education (Pre-K through Grade 3). However, I was told to become more structured, and I am working hard to adapt. I have structured the day to minimize the amount of playtime. I truly believe in outside play; however, there may be days when it will have to be eliminated.
When the children come into the classroom, they may play for the first 1/2 hour. I will then have an extended Circle Time for prayer/phonics/reading and instruction. Children will be doing more table work activities. You will receive less projects and more paper/pencil work. We will continue to have Gym/YOGA on Tuesdays.
This Monday is our first All School Mass at 8:30AM. I will be playing (the piano) for the school liturgies. Mrs. Gute (and another school appointed aide) will sit with the children in the cry room. Parents are encouraged and welcome to attend the school liturgies with your son/daughter.
School pictures were taken last week. If you are not happy with your child's photograph (when you receive it), there will be a scheduled day for re-takes. If your child was absent, he or she will have a photo taken on the re-take day.
Our religion time has been focused on prayer and Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Your child knows this story and a song which names each of the lambs. This week we started the Bible Story of Noah, the Great Flood, and the Ark. The children are painting/coloring/pasting an ark and the animals. We are singing a song about Noah.
Each 4 year old child has a Journal to "write" in. I keep the journals until the end of the year. At that time, you can see the progress that your child has made throughout the year. We have completed our first 2 jolly phonics sounds: s and a. We are talking about the numbers 1, 2 and 3.
My daughter AnneMarie is a Freshman at Marist. She decided to take French. I took 4 years of Latin. Therefore, I cannot help her. I purchased Hooked on French, and a PreSchool French CD and Book. I decided that I would learn French right along with her! And so.....your children will be learning French, too. We started Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes. Anne has been teaching me the Hail Mary. That will be our next effort!
Please contact me: creich@stlinusschool.org with any questions or concerns.
Have a great week!